French Muslim body to create 'licence to preach' for imamsFrance's leading Muslim body said it would create a permit to preach for imams in a bid to root out extremists, as well as a new religious body to fight back against jihadist propaganda.
Pope issues 'extraordinary' apology over scandalsPope Francis offered a surprise public apology from the Catholic Church for a series of scandals which have shaken the city of Rome and the Vatican, from gay sex to drug use.
15 October 2015
Pope deplores 'escalation of violence' in MidEast, urges actionPope Francis deplored the "escalation of violence affecting innocent civilians" in the Middle East, from Syria to Iraq, Jerusalem and the West Bank, and urged the international community to act.
09 October 2015
Pope wraps up US tour with giant open-air massPope Francis celebrated a giant outdoor mass in Philadelphia, bringing to a close an electrifying US tour with an appeal for unity and family love, having met victims of church sex abuse.
Pope prepares to take US bow after Cuba stopoverPope Francis headed for Cuba on the first-leg of a trip that will also take him to the United States for his most high-profile overseas visit to date.
19 September 2015
Pope feels 'used' by fake friendsPope Francis says he has felt "used" by people claiming to be his friend since he became pontiff, in a radio interview touching on the personal side of his papacy.
Pope Francis thanks US nuns after 'radical' claimPope Francis thanked American nuns in a television special to be aired Friday, defusing tensions that arose after an investigation under the previous pontiff accused them of promoting "radical feminist themes"
Pope urged to condemn gay unions as unnaturalNearly half a million Catholics have signed a petition urging Pope Francis to condemn same sex unions as unnatural and rule out allowing divorced believers who remarry to receive communion.
Judge keeps door open for Katy Perry to buy conventA US judge kept the door open for pop star Katy Perry to buy a former LA convent at the centre of an unholy real estate battle, although a final decision remains on hold.
Pope Francis celebrates Ecuador mass with huge crowdPope Francis celebrated an open-air mass with hundreds of thousands of faithful under scorching heat in Ecuador, highlighting the importance of family on his return to his home region.